January 29, 2008

Random Coolness: The "All Bling" Edition

Sometimes even the smallest details of superhero comics could make a big impression, which includes some of the shiny baubles and costume accoutrements the kids might classify as "bling". Or not (I'm sure the term "bling" is now hopelessly outdated). Here's four that stand out (click on the images for larger views):

1. The Legion of Superheroes Flight Ring: You'd think becoming a member of a 30th century club for superpowered teenagers would be cool enough, right? Wrong! In addition to the aforementioned cool factor, each (non-flying) member of the Legion of Superheroes would also receive their very own flight ring (which doubled as a communication device).

2. The Phantom's Skull Ring: Bad guys punched by the Ghost Who Walks would get an added souvenir: the impression of a skull mashed into their faces by the ring on his right hand! Crime not only doesn't pay, but it also leaves one heck of a mark!

3. Warlock's Soul Gem: Created in the hippie-dippy daze of 1967, the man-god known simply as "Him" evolved into a sort of counter-cultural superhero named Adam Warlock in the early 1970's. Very much a product of the Eastern-tinged Psychedelic era, Warlock sported a "soul-jewel" (later known as the Soul Gem) on his forehead, which gave him the power to manipulate matter, devolve organisms to more primitive states, and absorb the souls of other beings into the gem's alternate reality. Throw in a snazzy gold belt and wrist bands (not to mention that fanged skull-thing near his flared collar), and you've got yourself some major metaphysical mojo.

4. The Eye of Agamotto: Speaking of Eastern-tinged psychedelia, one of THE coolest pieces of comic book bling has got to be The Eye of Agamotto, a magical amulet worn by Dr. Strange. At Strange's command, the amulet opens to reveal an eerie glowing eye, which gives Strange the ability to see through illusions and disguises, invoke scenes from the past, track psychic or magical energy, project shields, open dimensional portals, or weaken evil mystical beings. Ah, but that's not all, as they say on the infomercials. The Eye can also be used to probe minds or search other-dimensional realms, in which case the eye leaves the amulet and affixes itself to Dr. Strange's forehead...to maximal creepy/cool effect.

Comments

I'm a big fan of the Phantom also, on account of being in all those Jumbo black and white translated comics compilations I read as a kid. It was my first introduction to the Flash, the Fantastic Four, the House of Mystery, Thor, Captain America and the Falcon and yeah, the Phantom, all under the same cover!

Yeah, the GL rings were definitely on the short list, but I ultimately decided to pass them by since they have such a high profile. The point of "Random Coolness" is to focus on the often overlooked nooks and crannies of superhero comics that I personally think are pretty groovy. Don't get me wrong...GL rings are "Cool of the First Order", but also pretty obvious. As for the Fate helmet, that's probably outside the range of "bling" (as I understand it), but I'm sure the helmet will appear in a future "Random Coolness".

Except it was an incredibly random assortment with no respect to publisher.

So more like those grab bags from KMart in content. But the format was Essential yes. Except the covers were reproduced in color (glossy) inside (except the House of Mystery type stuff, which appeared as single stories peppered here and there).

Gotta admit, Barry's ring was never a favorite of mine. As big of a Flash fan as I am, the ring always seemed a little (okay, ALOT) goofy. Granted, Barry was a "police scientist", and comics are ultimately whimsical and fanciful....but it was a leap I just couldn't make. The whole bit with the expanding costume, then the "special gas" that shrunk it again, and the "special tiny motor" inside the ring that reeled it back into place...ehh. For as much craziness as I can accept in superhero comics, the costume ring seemed to exceed that boundary.

Green Lantern rings are a given anyway, as is Batman's utility belt. I like that the Phantom was included, but what about the other ring, with the Good Mark? Anyone with that symbol is under the Phantom's protection, as is his/her decendents by future Phantoms. Mess with a worthy Good Mark possessor and you'll be seeing the skull ring soon enough.